American rapper Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II on January 28, 1976.
Ross signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Jay-Z on Def Jam Recordings before releasing his debut single, “Hustlin,” in 2006. He had been the subject of a bidding war, receiving proposals from Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment and Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc.
Later that year, the company published Ross’s debut album, Port of Miami, and it immediately went to the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart, selling 187,000 copies in its first week.
Ross’ second studio album, Trilla, was released in 2008 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Besides his solo work, in 2005 Ross was the leader of the hip-hop group Triple C’s, together with fellow Florida rappers Gunplay and Torch.
Rather You Than Me (2015), Mastermind (2014), Hood Billionaire (2014), Black Market (2015), and Teflon Don (2010) were all released under Ross’s own record label, Maybach Music Group, which he established in 2009. (2017).
Ten years later, in August of 2019, he released Port of Miami 2, his tenth studio album, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
Artists including Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana, among many others, have joined Rick Ross’s Maybach Music label after being signed by Rick Ross.
The music television network MTV dubbed Ross the “Hottest MC in the Game” in the early part of 2012.
Early Life
Roberts II, William Leonard, entered the world on January 28, 1976, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Carol City, Florida is where his family grew up.
He attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football scholarship after he graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School.
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Rick Ross Weight Loss
Rick Ross, previously reviled for his brash acceptance of his larger size, is now held up as a role model for people of all shapes and sizes. A mere two years ago, the rapper weighed 350 pounds; today, he has lost and maintained an incredible 75 pounds.
The rapper-turned-businessman says he lost weight by changing his diet, but he still loves to eat at Wingstop, the Texas fast-food franchise in which he has a prominent stake.
Ross says in the interview, “I’m pleased,” and the accompanying photo of him smiling broadly while running backs up his words. Weight loss continues, and I can feel myself putting on some serious muscle!
Five years have passed since he suffered a series of seizures in 2011 that motivated him to make positive changes to his diet and daily routine in an effort to better his health.
When asked why he instituted “cheat days,” Ross said, “I knew my weight loss wouldn’t last if I never ate the things I enjoy.”
Ross has never looked or felt better thanks to his efforts at the gym and with a personal chef who prepares healthy meals like kale casserole, salmon, salad, and “huge fruit platters.”
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Career
After starting in the role in December 1995, Ross stayed on as a corrections officer until he resigned in June 1997, a span of 18 months.
Ross debuted in the industry as Teflon Da Don.
In the middle of the 2000s, he legally changed his name to Rick Ross. The notorious “Freeway” Rick Ross served as an inspiration for his stage moniker.
After releasing his first single, “Hustlin,” in 2006, he was the center of intense bidding competition. Multiple record labels, including Bad Boy Entertainment owned by P. Diddy and Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. Jay-Def Z’s Jam Records, eventually signed Ross to a multimillion-dollar contract.
His first album, Port of Miami, was released later that year and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Trilla, Ross’s second studio album, was released in 2008. On the Billboard 200 album chart, it also debuted at the top spot.
Deeper Than Rap (2009), Teflon Don (2010), God Forgives, I Don’t (2012), Mastermind (2014), Hood Billionaire (2014), Black Market (2015), Rather You Than Me (2017), Port of Miami 2 (2017) are all studio albums released by Ross on his own record label, Maybach Music Group, which he established in 2009. (2019).
Diddy’s management business Ciroc Entertainment signed Ross as its first artist.
The music television network MTV dubbed Ross the “Hottest MC in the Game” in the early part of 2012.
Ross made an appearance on the Snoop and Martha’s Potluck Dinner Party episode of the hit VH1 show. His episode had him working side by side with Martha Stewart in the kitchen.
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Personal Life
Toie Roberts, William Roberts III, Berkeley Hermes Roberts, and Billion Leonard Roberts are Ross’s four offspring.
Rick Ross is a Christian, and he once said, “I had told myself at one point no matter what I go through, I never question God.” This was said in an interview with Corey “Coco Brother” Condrey on Lift Every Voice. Ross also mentioned that before each performance he prays.
While in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 27, 2013, to celebrate Ross’s 37th birthday, he and his fiancée were the victims of a drive-by shooting. Ross and his girlfriend made it through the shooting unharmed, despite ramming their car into an apartment building.
Ross and Lira “Galore” Mercer became engaged in 2015 but broke up soon after.
Ross was slammed for saying in a 2017 interview, “I would end up fcking her and fcking the business up,” when explaining why he had never signed a female rapper.
Ross quickly posted an apology on Facebook, in which he acknowledged his “insensitive” remarks and said they were “a mistake he regrets.”